I've been getting a lot of inspiration for this story lately so here's the next chapter. Enjoy! I'd love to hear your feedback!
"There are guards everywhere." Daniel gasped.
"I told you they would send out a search party." Emma shook her head in dismay.
Suddenly one of the guards patrolling the walls spotted them and started shouting to the other guards on the walls and in the courtyard. The guards at the gate ran across the bridge to them, asking a million questions at once. They ushered the group into the gates of the castle, closing them as soon as they had passed, keeping the world out. Through the crowd of people Emma saw her parents push through, their faces awash with relief. Snow rushed forward and pulled Emma into her arms, exhaling as she tightened her grip. "Thank God you are all right." She pulled back and held her daughters face in her hands. "You are all right aren't you?"
"I'm fine." Emma waved her mother off.
"What are you wearing?" Snow gave her daughter's outfit a once over.
"Oh this." Emma glanced down at the dress, knowing it would have elicited a reaction. "My shirt got stolen and this was the only thing they had to wear."
"It is entirely inappropriate." Snow scolded.
"I'm aware of that." Emma nodded, trying to keep her patience. "But as this is customary dress of where we were…"
"Where in the world have you been?!" Snow's face quickly changed from relieved to angry.
"I…" Emma started.
"You're out all night with no word of where you've gone." Snow continued. "Do you know how worried your father and I were? We had the whole guard out looking for you."
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to stay out all night." Emma said firmly.
"Well where were you that you could not come back or even be bothered to tell us where you were?" James asked. He didn't seem much happier than Snow.
"It's not that we did not want to come back. We were planning on returning before dinner but … well we could not…" Emma started to explain.
"Why couldn't you?" The worry was back in Snow's voice. "Did something happen Emma? Did someone keep you from returning? Did someone attack you?"
"No!" Emma was frustrated they wouldn't let her speak. "We didn't just go out into the forest yesterday. We went… well we went somewhere else."
"And where exactly did you go?" James crossed his arms.
"The Spice Islands." Emma said slowly.
"Where are those?" James asked.
Emma took a deep breath. "Another realm."
"Another realm?" Snow closed her eyes and tried to stay patient. "So you used magic to get there."
"That is generally how it is done." Emma nodded.
"Now is not the time to be smart with us." Snow warned. "And why exactly did you not return?"
"The Spice Islands has a restriction on when people can and cannot travel in and out of it." Daniel explained. "If you miss it you have to stay there until the window opens the next day."
"And you didn't think it would be appropriate to pay attention to that time window?" Snow asked.
"Time is different there." Emma said. "We forgot."
"Emma this is why magic is dangerous." Snow said.
"It's not dangerous, we were fine." Emma argued. "No one got hurt, everyone enjoyed themselves. Just because you don't understand something or someplace doesn't make it bad or dangerous."
"And you two just went along with this?" James asked Ewen and Bran, the look on his face a mix of disappointment and anger.
"It's not their fault." Emma cut in.
"Emma." James warned.
"No!" Emma said firmly, shocking both her parents at her refusal to listen to them. "It is not their fault. We would have gone with or without them. We have that kind of power. They knew that. They thought it would be better for them to come with us and keep watch over us than leave us in the unknown and come back empty handed. If you are going to be mad, please don't be mad at them. They were just doing their jobs."
"You two are dismissed for now." James said to Ewen and Bran who quickly took their leave. "As for you two…"
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you where we were. We had no intention of staying out late. Still that doesn't excuse my lying to you but I knew you would react like this." Emma looked from her mother to her father. "These places aren't all dangerous. All magic isn't dangerous. If you would just come with me, just once, you would see."
"Emma we have rules for a reason." James cut her off. "They are for your safety and for the safety of all of us. You need to follow them. You need to listen to us. We're older, we have more life experience than you do which has allowed us to learn a little more. You'll understand some day."
"I thought you said when I came here I could come and go as I pleased." Emma crossed her arms, she was angry now. "You forget I don't live here. I can do as I please."
"Emma!" Snow gasped. "You will respect your father. We raised you better than that."
"You didn't raise me at all." Emma said coldly. "My home is in Altair, the place I was raised. A place that has taught me to experience all every world has to offer, to widen my horizons, to be tolerant of those who are different even though it may be scary at first. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it is wrong. But I guess that isn't how you view things here. I cannot conform to that. I'm sorry I cannot be who you want me to be."
"Emma!" Both Snow and James called after her as she ran off towards the castle. They moved to follow her but Daniel stopped them.
"Let her go." Daniel warned. "She's angry and when she's in that kind of mood she needs to be alone. Going after her will only make things worse."
"Daniel, Emma is our daughter." James said. "I think we know how to deal with this."
"With all do respect sir, I think I know her better than you do." Daniel said carefully.
"When you are a parent you will understand you can't allow a child to act like that and think it's ok." Snow said. "We can't allow her to disrespect us, or others like that."
"Because the child you raised is so respectful to the two of you and everyone else?" Daniel's eyes widened as soon as it came out. He was even surprised by what he had said. "I'm... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you like that."
"No." James shook his head. "You have a point."
"Emma is one of the most respectful people I know." Daniel continued. "But she's also sixteen and confused and feels like you are rejecting a big part of who she is. I may not be a parent, but I know Emma, and so maybe I can offer you a little bit of advice about loving Emma."
"We love Emma very much." Snow said, somewhat indignantly.
"I know that." Daniel nodded. "But you need to love Emma for who she is, not who you have imagined her to be. Love all of her, not just the parts you expected, that you wanted. If you don't, it will be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. All it will do is break the relationship. Emma's pretty amazing if you would just accept her for who she is. I'm sorry for all the trouble we caused, truly. We didn't mean to make you worry. Now if you'll excuse me I have something to do."
Snow and James watched as Daniel walked away. Most of the other guards had dispersed and they were some of the last people in the courtyard. Snow put her head in her hands. James sighed. "Well that went well."
"What are we going to do James?" Snow looked at her husband. "I feel like we just took a million steps backwards."
"Well we did." James agreed. "She is very angry with us. In restrospect maybe we should have heard her out before we yelled at her."
"She has to understand she can't just leave like that without telling us where she is going." Snow said.
"Technically she can." James looked at his Snow. "We did tell her she could come and go as she pleased, that was just before everything happened."
"Regardless she should have had the respect to tell us she planning on coming back." Snow shook her head. "Instead she just left us worrying."
"I don't think they meant to do any harm." James said gently. "You heard them. They lost track of time. Yes they were careless but I don't think there was any mal-intent."
"You have a point." Snow nodded. "I just wish she wouldn't have lied to us."
"Can you really blame her?" James asked. "I mean look how we just reacted. Daniel's right, we don't accept her for who she is, at least not completely. We try to ignore the magic in her, but it is very much a part of her. She spent ten years learning different rules in a land that celebrated her abilities. We can't expect her to conform to our beliefs and ways, not after that long."
Snow nodded slowly. "Someone has to change. And if we want to keep her it has to be us."
"I think so." James rubbed his wife's shoulders.
"I should go talk to her." Snow said finally.
"Snow." James warned.
"Not to yell at her." Snow clarified. "To apologize and to explain to her why we were so worried. I'm not she quite understood that reason. Maybe if she did she would understand why we reacted the way we did."
Emma sat with her knee's curled to her chest in the window seat staring out into the great expanse of the lake. Her dress was tossed on the floor, having been exchanged for more comfortable trousers and a tunic. She wasn't sure why she ran here first. She wanted to be alone and she knew it wouldn't be long before one or both of her parents came looking for her.
As if on cue there was a gentle knock on her door. Emma looked up to see Snow slipping in. As if she sensed her daughter's apprehensions Snow held up her hands. "I'm not here to yell at you."
Emma nodded slowly. "You can come in."
Snow walked over and sat in front of her daughter. "I'm sorry for how your father and I acted down there. Things went a little far. We didn't mean for them to, but when you are so worried about someone your emotions can get the best of you and override your judgment. I'm sorry we made you feel like you were not good enough or you had to change because that is not the case."
"It feels like that sometimes." Emma admitted.
"I know." Snow nodded. "You and Daniel made some valid points. We haven't been very accepting of all of you. We've been ignoring the parts that make us uncomfortable. But the fact is regardless of what should have happened, or could have happened, this is who you've become, and we love every bit of it. If you ever feel that its not the case, come to us. We love you more than you could ever know Emma. Every part of you, even those that scare us." Emma gave a small smile. "What is it?" Snow asked.
"It's funny." Emma shook her head. "The part of me that is my most attractive quality in Altair, is my least attractive quality in this land… but you guys still love me."
"That's what families do." Snow said. "They love each other for every last part of someone. I'm sorry we haven't been doing a very good job of that lately.
"I'm sorry for what I did too." Emma said. "The lying to you part. I just… I knew you would react like that and I was trying to avoid it."
"Do you know why we reacted the way we did?" Snow asked.
"Because you hate magic." Emma answered.
"No." Snow shook her head. "I would be lying if I said it did not play a small part in our reaction but the true reason for why we acted the way we did was because of the past, what happened ten years ago when you disappeared. It was like it was happening all over again."
"I hadn't thought of it like that." Emma whispered guiltily. She looked down, letting her hair fall over her face.
"I know." Snow reached over and gently tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear, looking into the matching pair of sea-green eyes. "But you have to understand, when you lose someone who is so precious to you, when they disappear without a trace for ten years, when you have to go on living day after day without them, it leaves a hole in your heart. A wound that will not heal. You never forget what that night was like, the night you lost them. It haunts you forever. So when you get that person back you hold on to them so tight, because you're afraid you might lose them again. Maybe sometimes a little too tightly. But when they disappear again, without a word of where they might have gone… well it takes you back to a pretty dark place and reopens some big wounds."
"I'm so sorry." Emma said honestly "I never meant to make you feel like that."
"I know." Snow assured her daughter. "I know you would never intentionally hurt us like that. That's why you have to be honest with us. Even when you think we can't handle the truth. We're your parents Emma and we will always be here for you. We love you no matter what Emma. I think if we would all get a little better about being honest with each other, about listening to each other, things might get just a little bit easier."
"I think we can do that." Emma agreed.
"Good." Snow pulled her daughter into a hug. "I love you so much Emma." Snow released her daughter and stood up. "Now this may come as a surprise to you but recent events have required your father and I to make a visit to the city of Drell. It's a little over a days travel away. Because of recent events your father and I aren't leaving William unsupervised so he is coming with us. It's not that we don't trust you, we just didn't want to leave you alone so we decided to take the whole family with us. We leave at midday. I had Eliza pack your bags but you might want to check them to ensure the clothing is acceptable to you." Snow watched her daughter's reaction closely. "Are you ok with this?"
Emma nodded. "Yes. It might be nice to see more of the kingdom."
"I wouldn't label Drell as a nice city." Snow shook her head, picking up Emma's discarded dress and folding it. "It is a wretched place in my opinion. Full of thieves and gamblers and all sorts vermin."
"And you're taking your children to it?" Emma asked slowly.
"There is a fortress there." Snow explained. "We will be staying inside the walls. Trust me on this one. Drell is not a place you want to explore."
Emma nodded. "So are there any clothing requirements? Like will there be any sort of meetings that require a certain dress code."
"We will be having a gathering the first night with the Lord of Drell, a questionable man if you ask me but alas he is your fathers friend. I would prefer if you wore a gown for it." Snow said.
"Well I'm sure if you wanted a gown there is already one in the bags." Emma smiled. "I'll be ready at midday."
"I'll see you then sweetheart." Snow smiled before taking her leave.
Emma shook her head and returned her gaze out the window. Drell, what her mother had described as a despicable city in what many called a lovely kingdom. She had a feeling this trip would be rather interesting.
"This place is so depressing." Emma glanced around the grand foyer of the fortress in Drell. The interior had almost no natural light with candelabra's casting an eerie glow on most of the room. Suits of armor and carved statues gave an unwelcoming presence. Because of Drell's position in the mountains the climate was much colder than their castle. The poor insulation in the fortress gave the entire place a chill. "There's no light."
"Or happiness." Daniel muttered.
"It was built as a fortress." Snow explained. "A stronghold for the army built over a hundred years ago. Beauty and light were not the priority. Safety from the enemy forces was."
"Still I can't imagine the type of person that would want to live here." Emma shook her head just as an imposing man entered the room. His icy blue eyes were foreboding and his strong chin and full bread gave him a rough looking edge. His clothing looked more regal and imposing than her father's usual daily wear. Black boots and a fur edged cape completed the outfit.
"That kind of person." Daniel whispered.
"James." The man said heartily, taking James hand firmly as he clapped his friend on the back.
"Aron." James smiled as he embraced his friend. "It was been too long."
"That's Lord Aron?" Emma's eyebrows shot up.
"Yes." Snow nodded.
"That's his friend?" Emma gaped. "His close one… from the war."
"Yes." Snow glanced at her daughter, curious by her reaction.
"I just…" Emma shook her head. "I don't see it."
"See what?" Snow asked.
"I mean… aren't friends supposed to have something… anything in common?" Emma looked at Snow.
"And what makes you think they don't have anything in common?" Snow asked.
Emma glanced back over at the two men. "Besides common sense?"
"Be nice." Snow warned.
"I am actually fairly practiced in dealing foreign nobility." Emma informed her mother. "Both those that I like and dislike."
"Ah Emma…" Aron and James walked toward them. "You are so beautiful. Just as every proper princess should be. You'll do very well in this life."
"Are you saying all a princess needs to be is beautiful?" Emma raised her eyebrow.
"Well how else are you supposed to find a proper husband to help you rule Eirian?" Aron asked.
"I think Emma would make a fine ruler regardless of the man she chooses to marry." James put his hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Well when you start considering suitors for our dear Emma here. I think one of my boys would make a fine match." Aron said to James.
Almost everyone shifted uncomfortably at the comment. James forced a smile at his friend. "I trust Emma will be more than capable of making that decision when the time comes."
"Well." Snow put her hand on Emma's shoulder. "As that time is no where near now, how about we go get settled in before dinner."
"Of course." Aron nodded and beckoned over a steward. "Will you please take our honored guests to their quarters."
"Of course sir." The steward nodded. "Right this way your majesties."
"How long are we staying here again?" Emma whispered to Snow.
"Not too long." Snow ran a reassuring hand over Emma's hair. "Just long enough to get things straightened out."
"Well I hope it's soon." Emma said. "I'm not exactly a big fan of Lord Aron."
"Neither am I Emma." Snow said as they ascended the staircase.
"Your highness's you will be staying in the west wing. Your daughter will be in the room next to you and the boys next to her." The steward instructed them.
"Daniel you'll be sharing a room with Will." Snow looked at him. "Is that ok with you?"
"Of course." Daniel nodded. He turned to whisper to Emma. "Assuming he doesn't try to kill me in my sleep."
Emma stifled a laugh as the steward turned to face them. "Dinner will be served in a half hour in the main dining room. The guests will be arriving soon. Your presence is requested as soon as you are prepared."
"Thank you son." James nodded. "You're dismissed."
"Of course sir." The steward took his leave.
"I'm going to go get changed." Emma excused herself. She walked into the sparsely decorated room. A few swords decorated the walls along with an assortment of crests and heads of hunted game that had been mounted. A large four-poster bed sat against the wall, her dress for the night already laid out on it. A small window overlooked the city but it was barely large enough for Emma to slip through, let alone give the room a decent amount of natural light. Emma glanced back at the dress Eliza had picked out for her. She was grateful Eliza had thought ahead and picked out a long sleeved gown to protect against the nighttime chill in Drell.
Emma slipped the dress on with relative ease. The long sleeves flared at the ends, part of them dipping slightly below her hand. The heavy deep red material hugged her body and flared slightly at her hips. The boat neck line was gilded in gold. She turned to the side, unsure if she liked how the dress fit.
"Emma." Snow stepped into Emma's room and looked at her daughter. "You look beautiful."
"It's not like anything I usually wear." Emma glanced at Snow.
"Yet you still look beautiful anyway." Snow smiled. "That color is beautiful on you."
"You say that about every color." Emma laughed.
"I don't know if I would say it about orange." Snow teased. "Or yellow."
"Are you saying I would not look pretty in those colors?" Emma feigned insult.
"No I'm saying I would not choose them for you given the choice." Snow smiled. Her eyes fell to the golden tiara sitting on the armoire. It's three strands were woven in a deceivingly simple and beautiful way. The emerald stones set in set off both her and Emma's eyes and the few diamonds woven throughout sparkled in the light. "Would you like help with that?"
"Yes." Emma nodded. She watched as her mother gently picked it up and fixed it into her curly blonde hair, which had only partially been pulled back. "I've never… I don't remember ever wearing a tiara before."
"Well it is your right." Snow smiled as she adjusted it. "I hope its not too much for your first time… well first time since everything happened."
"It still amazes me that there are more." Emma gave a small laugh.
"There's not too many more." Snow promised.
"You said there were six." Emma pointed out. "To me, that's a lot."
"They all have their purpose. Some more grand than others. Some more sentimental." Snow stepped back to look at her daughter. "There, it looks perfect."
Emma glanced at the mirror. "It feels strange."
"What does?" Snow asked.
"Having a tiara on my head." Emma stared at the glinting piece of jewelry that clearly identified her as a member of the royal family. "I mean, I guess I knew I was a princess… but this makes it so much more real." She looked over at her mother. "I like the one you chose to wear tonight."
Snow looked fondly at the simple diamond crown that sat upon her own head. It was one that she had seen almost every day growing. "It was my mothers."
"It's beautiful." Emma commented.
"So was she." Snow smiled nostalgically. "She was kind and loving and fair. All her subjects loved her. She was everything a proper queen should be. Everything a mother should be."
"She sounds a lot like you." Emma said quietly.
Emma's comment made Snow's heart swell and brought tears to her eyes. "She would have loved your fire and passion for life. I wish you could have met her."
"So do I." Emma gave a small smile. "Maybe you could tell me about her some day."
"Of course my darling." Snow agreed. "Now come, we're going to be late."
"I thought the king and queen were never late." Emma shot a sideways glance at her mother as they walked down the hallway. "That everyone else was simply early."
Snow froze upon hearing her daughter say those words. It took a few steps for Emma to realize Snow was no longer beside her. She stopped and turned, giving her mother a confused look. "Aren't you coming?"
"Emma." Snow said slowly. "Where did you hear that?"
"I don't know." Emma shrugged. "From you I suppose."
"I haven't said that to you since…" Snow shook her head slowly. "Well since you were little."
"Oh." Emma looked surprised. "I… well… I didn't realize. I'm sorry?"
"No." Snow shook her head as she closed the gap between Emma and herself. "You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. I was just startled, that's all. I wasn't aware you were having memories."
"I wasn't either." Emma admitted. "I had no idea that was from before."
"Maybe there are other things your subconsciously remembering." Snow said hopefully.
"Uh…" Emma glanced back at the stairwell. "Maybe now isn't the best time to go analyzing what are memories from the past. Besides, if anything concrete had developed I would know. I would have told you." Emma glanced down quickly before the last sentence, a small tell she had when she was lying. She was thankful her mother didn't know this about her. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell her parents about her memory, she just wasn't sure how to go about telling them something she wasn't even was sure was real herself.
"Of course." Snow nodded. "You're right. We should go before your father and Will come looking for us."
"Right." Emma nodded, falling into step beside Snow, walking towards where her brother and father were waiting.
"There you two are." James smiled as he slipped his arm around his wife. Emma was starting to notice he made these shows of affection all the time. It made her happy to see how in love they were. "I was worried I was going to have to come hunt you down."
"Well as they say…" Snow smiled. "Fashionably late. Emma was making sure her dress fit right and figuring out to get her tiara on."
"You look beautiful Emma." James smiled at his daughter. "Like a proper princess."
Emma laughed, shaking her head at her father's joke. "If that's how he measures his standards of a proper princess I should be at the top of my game tonight dressed like this." She sighed. "I feel like everyone is going to be staring at me tonight."
"Well they will be." James said. "Because you're beautiful. But if they even think about coming to close they will have another thing coming."
"I think simply being your daughter is enough to intimidate them and keep them away." Emma smiled. "But thank you."
"Any time darling." James eyes twinkled as he and Snow led the way down the stairs, Emma and William following close behind.
The night wasn't a ball or a large party of any sort. It was a smaller gathering of the surrounding nobles and high-ranking officials. Still enough importance had been placed on the royal family's presence that a more formal attire was mandated. By time they arrived most of the guests were already milling around. When Snow and James reached the entrance to the formal gathering room the herald announced their presence and the entire room feel silent, bowing in respect. Snow and James walked through the room to greet Lord Aron and his wife on the other end of the room. Emma took a deep breath as she began to follow them, Will by her side. She was used to people watching her, in Altair, when they were visiting foreign dignitaries, but this was different. They were looking at her with reverence and some even with adoration. Suddenly she felt the high expectations of being a princess settle on her and for the first time in what seemed like forever she began to feel nervous. She twisted the ring on her left hand with her thumb, trying to calm herself. Will seemed to notice her nerves and silently took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Emma looked over at her little brother, shocked by this display of affection. Will gave her a small smile and Emma returned it, squeezing his hand back. Strangely enough Will's presence did make her feel more comfortable.
When they finally reached the other side of the room, Snow was smiling widely seeing her children's interaction. "Emma, I'd like you to meet Lord Aron's wife, Lady Helen."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Emma gave a slight curtsey.
"The pleasure is all mine dear princess." Helen gave a warm smile. "These are my sons Tobias and Tomas."
Both boys bowed to Emma. When they straightened up Emma could see they were both spitting images of their father. Tobias, the eldest, looked to be a few years older than Emma while Tomas appeared to be no more than one year younger.
A bell rang, signaling it was time for dinner. Tobias stepped forward and held his arm out. "Princess Emma, may I have the honor of escorting you to dinner."
Emma hesitated before accepting, knowing it would be rude to do otherwise. "Of course." Emma looped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her into the formal dining room. Despite being a mirror image of Lord Aron, there was a kinder and more welcoming air to Tobias.
Once they were all gathered at the table Lord Aron said a few words before everyone took their seats and the servers began to bring out the various dishes.
Conversation mostly revolved around James and Aron reliving old war stories and Helen and Snow filling each other in on what had changed in their lives. Apart from answering the occasional question from Helen or Tobias, Emma remained quiet for most of the meal.
Finally Lord Aron turned his attention to Emma. "Tell me Emma. What do you like to do?"
"Well…" Emma seemed surprised he was addressing her. "I enjoy traveling."
"Traveling?" Aron looked surprised. "Who would want to spend their entire day in a carriage?"
"Well granted carriage's aren't exactly my preferred method of travel." Emma admitted. "But there's a lot of amazing things to see in this world for those who are willing to accept them."
Daniel coughed and nudged Emma. "I also like to shoot bow and arrow and sword fight."
"Sword fighting?" Aron seemed surprised. "A girl? How interesting James. I should have suspected your daughter would enjoy that."
"Well she is very skilled." James smiled proudly.
"A girl who is skilled at sword fighting." Aron laughed. "I didn't realize that was a possibility."
"I don't think the sword bases how well it works for you based off your gender." Emma said with an air of insult. "I think it depends more on your talent and the time and effort you put into training."
"Emma has been training almost her entire life." Daniel added.
"Well until you've used a sword to take the life from someone you won't truly know what it means to hold one. Right James?" Aron smiled at his old friend.
"I don't know that this is a conversation that's appropriate for the dinner table." Snow cut in. "Or to have around children."
"Of course." Aron nodded. "My dear Snow I thank you for keeping me in check."
Snow gave a smile but Emma noticed it looked forced. The rest of the night passed rather uneventfully. Aron and James spent most of it retelling old war stories. The time they didn't spend reminiscing James spent talking to the other guests. Emma did her best to stay out of the way and allow the night to pass without incident. As she watched her parents she was amazed at how well the conversed with all of their subjects, making each feel important, regardless of their status.
When it finally grew late Snow allowed Emma to excuse herself for the night and retire to her room. The first thing she did was pull off the tiara and set it gently back in its box, feeling instantly more like herself. The dress came off next, slipping eagerly into the night-clothes Eliza had laid out for her. She was just finishing undoing her hair when Daniel stuck his head into her room. "There you are."
"Where else would I be?" Emma asked.
"When I noticed you had escaped that mad house I jealously followed you as quickly as I could." Daniel shook his head. "That was some night."
"Tell me about it." Emma agreed. "What are you doing in here?"
"Hiding." Daniel joked. "I want to wait until I'm sure Will's asleep."
Emma snapped him teasingly with a towel. "Be nice." She warned.
"It's not me being nice you have to worry about." Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"He's getting better." Emma pointed out. "Did you see him tonight."
"That was a rather uncharacteristic display of affection." Daniel agreed. "But flukes happen Emma."
"You're horrible." Emma laughed. "I'm just grateful he picked tonight to be a good brother. He's been around these kinds of nights his whole life. I haven't. I felt entirely strange. Especially wearing that." She pointed to the tiara.
"It was rather odd seeing you in a tiara." Daniel agreed. "It was as if the world was trying to remind me that you are now quite literally my superior."
"I'm not your superior." Emma rolled her eyes.
"You're royalty and I am not." Daniel said simply. "That makes you my superior.
"Yes but I am not royalty over you." Emma countered. "Therefore it's not the same thing."
"You still have a higher status than me." Daniel pointed out.
"What does status really mean in this world." Emma shook her head.
"Everything." Daniel said. "You should know that more than anyone growing up in Altair. What people think of you, what you can do, it dictates your entire future."
"I guess you have a point." Emma agreed. "It's just odd to think of myself as a higher status, as a princess. I just felt so silly wearing a tiara. It's the opposite of everything I was growing up."
"For what it's worth." Daniel shrugged. "I thought the tiara looked like it belonged on you. You looked very much like a princess tonight, regal and beautiful."
"Ah well Lord Aron should be happy." Emma said sarcastically. "Maybe I can use that beauty to find me a proper husband."
"Lord Aron has a lot of opinions on a lot of things." Daniel laughed. "Like your ability to sword fight for instance."
"According to Aron only men can truly wield a sword." Emma shook her head. "And apparently the measure of someone's ability rests solely in how many lives they have taken."
"Well by that definition you are three times the man Aron is." Daniel joked eliciting a laugh from Emma.
"I should have liked to see the look on his face had I told him I have indeed taken a life." Emma admitted. "It might have finally shut him up."
"Why don't you?" Daniel suggested.
"Daniel." Emma warned. "You know I don't want anyone knowing about that."
"Why not?" Daniel asked. "Your parents might be proud of you."
"Proud of what?" Emma asked. "That their daughter is a mercenary for hire?"
"We are not mercenaries." Daniel rolled his eyes."
"It most certainly is one of the services we provide." Emma argued. "We provide an army for whoever pays enough."
"We fight for the greater good Emma." Daniel said slowly, shocked by Emma's sudden disdain. "We fight for the side of good to ensure that evil does not gain the upper hand in our realms."
"Yea well the greater good sure involves a lot of death." Emma shook her head and sat on her bed. And don't try to tell me we're sacrificing the few to save the many. I don't regret the actions I've taken in my life, I'm just saying, there's a lot of blood on our hands and I'm not always sure whether it's something to be proud of."
"Taking a life is never something you should be proud of." Daniel agreed. "But fighting for the good of others is."
"I suppose you are right." Emma agreed.
"Hey." Daniel noticed Emma's sullen mood. "How about we do something exciting tomorrow to cheer you up."
"In this prison?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"No." Daniel shook his head. "I say we escape this creepy place. Just for the afternoon. Your father and mother will be in meetings all afternoon. They won't even notice we're gone."
"Because that worked out so well for us last time?" Emma asked.
"We won't be realm traveling this time so there's no chance of getting stuck." Daniel added.
Emma sighed, wanting so badly to get out of the fortress even though she knew it was a less than stellar idea. Finally she caved. "Ok." She agreed. "Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Daniel smiled. "Tomorrow we get to see what the infamous Drell is really like."